Cancer has not dampened British tourist Chris Burrows' spirit for travel and neither has the theft of his belongings - including vital medication.

Police are investigating an alleged historic indecent assault involving a former Otago Boys' High School teacher.

The Australian mountain ash at Orokonui Ecosanctuary, which is recognised as the tallest tree in New Zealand, has grown half a metre.

A 13-year-old Balclutha girl has died after a boat capsized at Surat Bay near Pounawea in South Otago this afternoon.

A violent daylight attack in a small Otago town has resulted in three arrests and an appeal for information about two travellers who police hold concerns for.

A female pedestrian has suffered life threatening injuries after being struck by a petrol tanker in central Dunedin this morning.

OceanaGold plans to scale back its operations and is expected to axe more than 100 jobs at the Macraes goldfield in Otago in response to a falling gold price.

While Central Otago's farmers were delighted by the rain falling on their parched land, cherry growers were less enthusiastic.

There's a mine of reasons to fall in love with Lawrence, writes Elisabeth Easther.

The owner of a dog which chased a sea lion from the sand dunes on an Otago Peninsula beach to the sea has been granted diversion.

Winston Aldworth gets behind the wheel of two high-performance cars with FreemanX Supercars in Queenstown.

Life is never dull on the road with Grant the Cook, writes Jason Burgess.

Vandals have targeted the Beaumont section of the new Clutha Gold Trail, causing thousands of dollars' damage.

An elderly couple 'blinded' by a lightning strike on their home believe they had a lucky escape - they'd hung up the phone moments before it burst into flames.

This architecturally-designed two-storey house is nestled among a cluster of upmarket properties in a quiet cul-de-sac. It accommodates 14 in six sumptuous bedrooms and has three bathrooms and a galley-style kitchen. Views of Coronet Peak, Queenstown Hill, Ben Lomond and the Shotover Canyon complete the sense of luxury.

For further information see luxuryholidayhouses.com.

Justine Tyerman's wish for snow is granted during a pilgrimage to her spiritual home.

Student numbers are expected to increase at the University of Otago next year, turning around three years of declining enrolments at the institution.

A Central Otago farmer - said to be in the process of brokering a multimillion-dollar export deal with the United Arab Emirates.

Lloyd Esler describes himself as a "cold hard sceptic", but even he is starting to believe otters may have made themselves at home in Southland.

Sarah Lang finds Dunedin is much more than a city of Scots and scarfies — and a special spot for a weekend getaway.

Elisabeth Easther explores the Big River Town.